Competitions are an integral part of TheSixthAxis, especially ones were you guys get to show us just how good you are at the games we like to talk about. Because this isn’t just a one-way website we like to think we try to involve our readers just as much as we possibly can, and although we’ve had a couple of false starts to Challenge TSA recently we’re absolutely committed to making the unique competition work. So, with a little bit of a reboot and myself at the helm, welcome to our latest challenge game: Just Add Water’s brilliant Gravity Crash.

This one’s a doddle: grab the demo off the PSN Store (or, of course, the full game) and bomb through the three levels (of the first, ‘Basix’ system) and set yourself a fastest time for the combined time for all three. You’ll need to be quick as this is a speed trial, so don’t worry about the score crystals and don’t stop to shoot anything that doesn’t need to be shot…  The recommended times set by the developers are there when you start each level, but we’re looking for smash them (and then some) so you should be aiming to be well under all three times.

How does it all work, then?  Well, previously the competition has been a closed affair with the winner strictly hidden until we reveal all, but from now on it’s going to be a little bit different.  You’ve got a week to get the fastest combined time possible, but rather than not telling anyone else how you’re doing we’re going to actively encourage that you do - that way you’ll know whether you’re out in front or not.  How will you do this?  Via our forums, of course, in which sits a brand new shiny “Challenge TSA” subforum and the first thread – Gravity Crash.

So, how you play this one is up to you – do you share tactics or keep things under your hat?  Regardless, next Saturday lunchtime (at midday) the competition will close and I’ll be going through the thread looking to see who’s got the fastest time.  Of course, I’ll need photographic evidence (or your PSN tag) as usual, but this time you’ll be playing for more than just TSA Points as we will be awarding a £20 PSN voucher* to the winner.  The winner being the person that’s not only got the top score amongst TSA readers but also beaten the top score amongst our staff.

But that’s not all – this being the first in a new series of Challenge TSA we thought we’d add a little bit of spice to the mix.  Enter Just Add Water’s Stewart Gilray, the man behind Gravity Crash and surely the person who you’d assume would know his own game inside out, right?  Well, he’ll be posting a time too and if you can beat him, well, who knows what treats will be heading your way…  So it’s not just Challenge TSA now, it’s Challenge The Developer too, and if you’re the fastest player you can rest assured that you’re damned near unbeatable!

So, get to it!  We want to see lots of activity in that forum thread and we’ll be dropping in from time to time ourselves with our own times to keep you on your toes.  Which reminds me, I’d better get some practice in, eh?

PS: We’ve not forgotten the Create a Level competition, just extending the deadline a little…

* subject to stock being available – an alternative will be provided if the vouchers are out-of-stock.